Implementing enhanced cmos inverter based optical transimpedence amplifer

ABSTRACT

A method and circuit are provided for implementing enhanced CMOS inverter based optical Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs). A transimpedence amplifer (TIA) includes a photo-detector, and the TIA is formed by a first TIA inverter and a second TIA inverter. The first TIA inverter has an input from a cathode side of the photo-detector and the second inverter has an input from an anode side of the photo-detector. A replica TIA is formed by two replica inverters, coupled to a respective input to a first operational amplifier and a second operational amplifier. The first operational amplifier and the second operational amplifier have a feedback configuration for respectively regulating a set voltage level at the cathode side of the photo-detector input of the first inverter and at the anode side of the photo-detector input of the second inverter.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the data processing field,and more particularly, relates to a method and circuit for implementingenhanced CMOS inverter based optical Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs),and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The design of an effective high speed (25 GBPS or greater) OpticalReceiver path with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)inverter based Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs) is challenging.Bandwidth limitations in the signal path manifest themselves as runtpulses. Runt pulses can be observed when the input a pseudo-randombinary sequence (PRBS) data stream results in single unit interval (1UI) pulses which are much smaller in amplitude than pulses greater than1 UI. Any technique that increases the amplitude of theses runt pulsesresults in improved high speed performance.

A need exists for a method and circuit for implementing enhanced CMOSinverter based optical Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Principal aspects of the present invention are to provide a method andcircuit for implementing enhanced CMOS inverter based opticalTransimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs), and a design structure on which thesubject circuit resides. Other important aspects of the presentinvention are to provide such method, circuit and design structuresubstantially without negative effects and that overcome many of thedisadvantages of prior art arrangements.

In brief, a method and circuit are provided for implementing enhancedCMOS inverter based optical Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs). Atransimpedence amplifer (TIA) includes a photo-detector, the TIA isformed by a first TIA inverter and a second TIA inverter. The first TIAinverter has an input from a cathode side of the photo-detector and thesecond inverter has an input from an anode side of the photo-detector. Areplica TIA is formed by two replica inverters, coupled to a respectiveinput to a first operational amplifier and a second operationalamplifier. The first operational amplifier and the second operationalamplifier have a feedback configuration for respectively regulating aset voltage level at the cathode side of the photo-detector input of thefirst inverter and at the anode side of the photo-detector input of thesecond inverter.

In accordance with features of the invention, the first feedbackoperational amplifier provides a gate input to a feedback PFET connectedbetween a voltage supply rail VDD and the cathode side of thephoto-detector input of the first inverter. The second feedbackoperational amplifier provides a gate input to a feedback NFET connectedbetween a ground rail and the anode side of the photo-detector input ofthe second inverter.

In accordance with features of the invention, by usingpseudo-differential connection of the photo-detector early in the signalpath effectively doubles the amplitude of runt pulses.

In accordance with features of the invention, as compared with singleended photo-detector based prior art TIA, the topology of thetransimpedence amplifer (TIA) with the differential connection of thephoto-detector results in enhanced input signal sensitivity, increasedbandwidth and enhanced noise performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention together with the above and other objects andadvantages may best be understood from the following detaileddescription of the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic and block diagram of an example enhanced CMOSinverter based optical Transimpedance Amplifier (TIA) in accordance withpreferred embodiments; and

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a design process used in semiconductordesign, manufacturing, and/or test.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exampleembodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

In accordance with features of the invention, a method and circuit areprovided for implementing enhanced CMOS inverter based opticalTransimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs), and a design structure on which thesubject circuit resides.

Having reference now to the drawings, in FIG. 1, there is shown anexample circuit generally designated by the reference character 100 forimplementing enhanced CMOS inverter based optical TransimpedanceAmplifiers (TIAs) in accordance with preferred embodiments.

Circuit 100 includes a CMOS inverter based optical transimpedenceamplifer (TIA) including a transimpedence amplifer (TIA) that includes aphoto-detector D1, 102, with the TIA is formed by a first TIA inverter104 and a second TIA inverter 106. The first TIA inverter 104 has aninput from a cathode side of the photo-detector 102 and the second TIAinverter 106 has an input from an anode side of the photo-detector 102.A replica TIA is formed by two replica inverters 108, 110, coupled to arespective input to a first operational amplifier 112 and a secondoperational amplifier 114 via a respective one of low pass filters(LPFs) 116, 118. The first operational amplifier 112 and the secondoperational amplifier 114 have a feedback configuration for respectivelyregulating a set voltage level at the cathode side of the photo-detector102 input of the first inverter 104 and at the anode side of thephoto-detector 102 input of the second inverter 106.

The first feedback operational amplifier 112 provides a gate input to afeedback PFET 120 connected between a voltage supply rail VDD and thecathode side of the photo-detector 102 input of the first inverter 104.The second feedback operational amplifier 114 provides a gate input to afeedback NFET 124 connected between a ground rail and the anode side ofthe photo-detector 102 input of the second inverter 106.

As shown, the cathode and anode of the photo-detector is respectivelybiased at ¾ of VDD and ¼ of VDD. It should be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to the illustrated bias voltages, otherbias voltages than ¾ VDD and ¼ VDD could be chosen. It should be notedthat the high common mode TIA inverter 104 and replica TIA inverter 108operate between VDD and ½ VDD where low common mode TIA inverter 106 andreplica TIA inverter 110 operate between ½ VDD and ground. In theillustrated embodiment, VDD is 2.4 volts so the high common mode TIAinverter 104 and replica TIA inverter 108 operate between 2.4 and 1.2volts, where the low common mode TIA inverter 106 and replica TIAinverter 110 operate between 1.2 volts and ground. Two capacitors 130,132 labeled as C BIG are provided to couple the resulting signal into arespective optional inverter 134, 136, including a respective feedbackresistor 138, 140, which drive a limiting amplifier (not shown). Theinverters 134, 136 operate between ½ VDD and ground.

In accordance with features of the invention, two independent controlloops control the photo-detector bias currents I DC. These loops requiredifferential Low Pass Filters (LPFs) 116, 118 and operational amplifiers112, 114 to drive PFET output device 120 and NFET output device 124. TheLPFs 116, 118 are simple RC filters. Replica TIAs 108, 110 providereference voltages for the LPFs 116, 118 and are also used in theregulator control loops, as shown.

In accordance with features of the invention, by usingpseudo-differential techniques early in the signal path the amplitude ofrunt pulses effectively doubles, which includes the pseudo-differentialconnection of the photo-detector 102 with pull-up PFET 120 and pull-downNFET 124. As compared with single ended photo-detector based prior artTIA, the topology of the transimpedence amplifer (TIA) circuit 100 withthe differential connection of the photo-detector 102 results in betterinput signal sensitivity, increased bandwidth and better noiseperformance.

It should be noted that by using circuit 100 with this new configurationfor typical process corners a 9 dB better incident signal performance isobserved together with 36% improved datarate performance.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an example design flow 200. Design flow200 may vary depending on the type of IC being designed. For example, adesign flow 200 for building an application specific IC (ASIC) maydiffer from a design flow 200 for designing a standard component. Designstructure 202 is preferably an input to a design process 204 and maycome from an IP provider, a core developer, or other design company ormay be generated by the operator of the design flow, or from othersources. Design structure 202 comprises circuit 100 in the form ofschematics or HDL, a hardware-description language, for example,Verilog, VHDL, C, and the like. Design structure 202 may be contained onone or more machine readable medium. For example, design structure 202may be a text file or a graphical representation of circuit 100. Designprocess 204 preferably synthesizes, or translates, circuit 100 into anetlist 206, where netlist 206 is, for example, a list of wires,transistors, logic gates, control circuits, I/O, models, etc. thatdescribes the connections to other elements and circuits in anintegrated circuit design and recorded on at least one of machinereadable medium. This may be an iterative process in which netlist 206is resynthesized one or more times depending on design specificationsand parameters for the circuit.

Design process 204 may include using a variety of inputs; for example,inputs from library elements 208 which may house a set of commonly usedelements, circuits, and devices, including models, layouts, and symbolicrepresentations, for a given manufacturing technology, such as differenttechnology nodes, 14 nm, 22 nm, 32 nm, 45 nm, 90 nm, and the like,design specifications 210, characterization data 212, verification data214, design rules 212, and test data files 218, which may include testpatterns and other testing information. Design process 204 may furtherinclude, for example, standard circuit design processes such as timinganalysis, verification, design rule checking, place and routeoperations, and the like. One of ordinary skill in the art of integratedcircuit design can appreciate the extent of possible electronic designautomation tools and applications used in design process 204 withoutdeviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. The designstructure of the invention is not limited to any specific design flow.

Design process 204 preferably translates an embodiment of the inventionas shown in FIG. 1 along with any additional integrated circuit designor data (if applicable), into a second design structure 220. Designstructure 220 resides on a storage medium in a data format used for theexchange of layout data of integrated circuits, for example, informationstored in a GDSII (GDS2), GL1, OASIS, or any other suitable format forstoring such design structures. Design structure 220 may compriseinformation such as, for example, test data files, design content files,manufacturing data, layout parameters, wires, levels of metal, vias,shapes, data for routing through the manufacturing line, and any otherdata required by a semiconductor manufacturer to produce an embodimentof the invention as shown in FIG. 1. Design structure 220 may thenproceed to a stage 222 where, for example, design structure 220 proceedsto tape-out, is released to manufacturing, is released to a mask house,is sent to another design house, is sent back to the customer, and thelike.

While the present invention has been described with reference to thedetails of the embodiments of the invention shown in the drawing, thesedetails are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimedin the appended claims.

1. A method for implementing enhanced CMOS inverter based opticalTransimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs) comprising: providing a transimpedenceamplifer (TIA) including a photo-detector, and the TIA being formed by afirst TIA inverter and a second TIA inverter; providing the first TIAinverter with an input from a cathode side of the photo-detector and thesecond inverter with an input from an anode side of the photo-detector;providing a replica TIA being formed by two replica inverters, said tworeplica inverters coupled to a respective input to a first operationalamplifier and a second operational amplifier; and providing said firstoperational amplifier and said second operational amplifier in afeedback configuration for respectively biasing a set voltage level atthe cathode side of the photo-detector input of said first TIA inverterand at the anode side of the photo-detector input of said second TIAinverter.
 2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said two replicainverters are coupled to a respective input to a first operationalamplifier and a second operational amplifier via a respective low passfilter (LPF).
 3. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein providing saidfirst operational amplifier and said second operational amplifier in afeedback configuration for respectively biasing a set voltage level atthe cathode side of the photo-detector input of said first inverter andat the anode side of the photo-detector input of the second inverterincludes providing a P-channel field effect transistor (PFET) connectedbetween a voltage rail VDD and the cathode side of the photo-detectorinput of said first TIA inverter.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3includes providing an N-channel field effect transistor (NFET) connectedbetween a ground rail and the anode side of the photo-detector input ofsaid second TIA inverter.
 5. The method as recited in claim 4 includesproviding said PFET receiving a gate input from an output of said firstoperational amplifier.
 6. The method as recited in claim 4 includesproviding said NFET receiving a gate input from an output of said secondoperational amplifier.
 7. The method as recited in claim 1 includesproviding a respective AC coupling capacitor for respectively ACcoupling output signals from said first TIA inverter and said second TIAinverter to a first output inverter and a second output inverter.
 8. Themethod as recited in claim 1 includes providing a high common mode firstTIA inverter and replica inverter coupled to said first operationalamplifier operating between a voltage rail VDD and a voltage rail ½ VDD,and providing a low common mode second TIA inverter and replica invertercoupled to said second operational amplifier operating between thevoltage rail ½ VDD and ground.
 9. A circuit for implementing an enhancedbias configuration for CMOS inverter based optical TransimpedanceAmplifiers (TIAs) comprising: a transimpedence amplifer (TIA) includinga photo-detector, and the TIA being formed by a first TIA inverter and asecond TIA inverter; said first TIA inverter having an input from acathode side of said photo-detector and said second TIA inverter with aninput from an anode side of said photo-detector; a replica TIA beingformed by two replica inverters, a respective output of said respectivereplica inverters coupled to a respective input of a first operationalamplifier and a second operational amplifier; and said first operationalamplifier and said second operational amplifier in a feedbackconfiguration for respectively biasing a set voltage level at saidcathode side photo-detector input to said first TIA inverter and at saidanode side photo-detector input of said second TIA inverter.
 10. Thecircuit as recited in claim 9 wherein said respective output of said tworeplica inverters are coupled to the respective input to a of said firstoperational amplifier and said second operational amplifier via arespective low pass filter (LPF).
 11. The circuit as recited in claim 9includes a P-channel field effect transistor (PFET) connected between avoltage rail VDD and the cathode side of the photo-detector input ofsaid first TIA inverter.
 12. The circuit as recited in claim 11 includesan N-channel field effect transistor (NFET) connected between a groundrail and the anode side of the photo-detector input of said second TIAinverter.
 13. The circuit as recited in claim 12 wherein said P-channelfield effect transistor (PFET) receiving a gate input from an output ofsaid first operational amplifier.
 14. The circuit as recited in claim 12wherein said NFET receiving a gate input from an output of said secondoperational amplifier.
 15. The circuit as recited in claim 9 includes arespective AC coupling capacitor for respectively AC coupling outputsignals from said first TIA inverter and said second TIA inverter to afirst output inverter and a second output inverter.
 16. The circuit asrecited in claim 9 wherein said high common mode first TIA inverter andsaid replica inverter coupled to said first operational amplifieroperating between a voltage rail VDD and a voltage rail ½ VDD, and saidsecond TIA inverter and said replica inverter coupled to said secondoperational amplifier operating between the voltage rail ½ VDD andground.
 17. A design structure embodied in a non-transitory machinereadable medium used in a design process, the design structurecomprising: a circuit tangibly embodied in the non-transitory machinereadable medium used in the design process, said circuit forimplementing an enhanced bias configuration for CMOS inverter basedoptical Transimpedance Amplifiers (TIAs), said circuit comprising: atransimpedence amplifer (TIA) including a photo-detector, and the TIAbeing formed by a first TIA inverter and a second TIA inverter; saidfirst TIA inverter having an input from a cathode side of saidphoto-detector and said second TIA inverter with an input from an anodeside of said photo-detector; a replica TIA being formed by two replicainverters, a respective output of said respective replica inverterscoupled to a respective input of a first operational amplifier and asecond operational amplifier; and said first operational amplifier andsaid second operational amplifier in a feedback configuration forrespectively biasing a set voltage level at said cathode sidephoto-detector input to said first TIA inverter and at said anode sidephoto-detector input of said second TIA inverter, wherein the designstructure, when read and used in the manufacture of a semiconductor chipproduces a chip comprising said circuit.
 18. The design structure ofclaim 17, wherein the design structure comprises a netlist, whichdescribes said circuit.
 19. The design structure of claim 17, whereinthe design structure resides on storage medium as a data format used forthe exchange of layout data of integrated circuits.
 20. The designstructure of claim 17, wherein the design structure includes at leastone of test data files, characterization data, verification data, ordesign specifications.